Qualities of love: Part one
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
We live in a society where the word “love” is used loosely to refer to our feelings toward God, our family, the family pet, and even our favorite dessert. “Love” is more than just words spoken.
In I Corinthians 13 we find some qualities or characteristics of love. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
In the King James Version the word “love” is translated “charity.” Let’s briefly notice these qualities:
“Love suffereth long.” Love will cause us to be longsuffering with others. True love is patient or slow to lose patience. Love is why we put up with things that are unpleasant in others. It will cause us to think carefully about our actions and our words.
Love will cause us to endure patiently even under trying circumstances. We see this characteristic of love shown by parents toward their rebellious children. A child may get into trouble again and again, but mom and dad’s love is unwavering. This should be our attitude toward others.
In Matthew 18:22 Jesus taught that our forgiveness should be unlimited toward others, that we should be longsuffering.
“Love is kind.” Love is something that we express toward others. It will cause us to be considerate of the welfare and well being of others. It will cause us to look for opportunities to help others even though they have mistreated us. The Bible says that Jesus “. . .went about doing good…” (Acts 10:38). Even though many tried to kill Him and others did not believe in Him, He continued to show His love for humanity by His kindness.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).
“Love envieth not.” Love will keep us from being jealous of others. Cain was jealous of his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1-8) because God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected his. When we love someone we will rejoice at their good fortune (promotion, raise, a better grade in school, or a better play in athletics, etc.). Parents are not envious of their children when they excel. We are to “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15).
Regardless of who we are or what we do there will always be someone doing the same thing and perhaps doing a better job. It doesn’t matter if we are an athlete, a factory worker, a preacher, a business person, or a student. We should never have the attitude of the older brother in the parable of “The Prodigal Son” recorded in Luke 15:11-24. Rather than rejoicing because his brother had returned home, he was jealous of him. If our hearts are filled with love, we will not be envious of others.
Lord willing, we will continue our study of love in two weeks. Visit with us at the Rockford Church of Christ on Sunday morning at 10 and 11. We are located at 8997 U.S. Highway 231 in Rockford close to Dollar General. Questions or comments: Dabass1962@bellsouth.net. “Search the Scriptures!”
